Atlantic Sires Stakes Back In N.B.

Officials with Horse Racing New Brunswick (HRNB) are pleased to announce that the Atlantic Sires Stakes program will return to the province in 2015.

This will end a one year hiatus from the program.

"The board of directors realizes the tremendous need for the Atlantic Sires Stakes to be in New Brunswick," said Dr. Mitchell Downey, HRNB's President. "It was a difficult decision this year not to be involved, but we were simply limited financially. It was paramount that racing continue in some fashion until September 22."

That was the date New Brunswickers went to the polls and selected a new Liberal Government under Brian Gallant.

"Under the previous government our efforts to educate them on the value of Standardbred racing as whole proved fruitless, let alone the spinoffs of the Sires Stakes events," said Downey.

"We plan on asking the incoming government for full contribution to the program as fulfilled by our partners in Nova Scotia and P.E.I. The timing is very tight with the new government not being sworn in until October 7 so we likely won't get an answer in time for the Atlantic Classic Sale on October 10 in Crapaud. Nonetheless, whether it's a full slate of stakes events or half, the Atlantic Sires Stakes will return in 2015. We feel it's important for our members to know that there will be stakes events."

Downey says HRNB has been working hard over the last few years to build as many bridges with all levels of government on the value of racing and breeding Standardbreds.

"We engaged the incoming government quite some time ago when they were in opposition and the outgoing Premier's Office closed the door on us. They have been very receptive and we look forward to sitting down with them in the near future."

(HRNB)